Page 2 of Alien Dragon's Bride

“Thanks, George.” Megan dashed to the back where Alice smoked a cigarette.

“Shopping run?” she asked.

“Yup, want anything?” Megan grabbed her sweater from the wall hook.

“Nah, still working on the pack of cigs you got me two days ago.” Alice took a drag. “Ain’t your shift over now?”

“Almost. Do me a favor and cover my tables, I’ll be back soon.”

“No problem.”

Megan wrapped her sweater around herself and hurried across the street down to the grocery store. Chai tea and soy milk. She hustled down the aisle. Maybe she could get the couple to pay when she brought them their food. Then she could get to the hospital to see her dad. Or just let Alice take over their table and split the tip. That would work.

A lady wheeled her shopping cart around, clipping Megan on her hip.

“Oh, I’m so sorry.” The woman jerked the cart back, her eyes widening as they trailed over my face. “Megan Wheeler? Is that you?”

Rubbing her hip, she faced the woman. Her belly stretched out her white cotton top.

“Cynthia?” She’d no idea her old friend from school was seeing anyone and here she was pregnant.

“Hi.” She pulled Megan into a hug. “It’s so good to see you again. How’ve you been?”

“Good.” Megan eased back. “Congratulations, when are you due?”

“Oh, it’s not mine.” Cynthia trailed a hand over her stomach.

“Pardon? You mean like you’re a surrogate?”

“Exactly. I was able to quit my job at the factory too.” She lowered her voice and winked. “Pays more than double what I was making before.”

“Wow, that’s fantastic.” Never realized being a baby incubator paid so well. “Listen, give me a call and we’ll get together for coffee and catch up. Right now, I’ve gotta grab some stuff for work.”

Cynthia nodded and pushed the cart up the aisle. “I look forward to it.”

Ten minutes later, Megan set the Chai with soy milk and the couples food before them.

“That took forever,” the woman grumbled under her breath.

Megan plastered a smile on her face. “You folks let me know if you need anything else. Enjoy.” There was still time if she gave Alice the table to see her dad before visiting hours were over.

“Thank you.” The man’s voice was warm and had her genuinely smiling back.

“Welcome.” Megan tore through the kitchen. “Hey, Alice, mind grabbing my last table? I gotta go.”

“Sure thing, hon.” Alice nodded. “Tell your dad I said hi.”

“Will do.”

* * *

Megan ran into the hospital. Damn, only thirty-five minutes left before she’d have to leave her dad again. Why couldn’t visiting hours be after-hours too for those who worked all damn day?

Many times, she’d offered to spend the night with her dad but he refused. She didn’t know if it was pride or stubbornness that made him treat his stay like it was a resort and not as if his life depended on the machines and medicine.

“No running, Megan, you know the rules,” one of the nurses shouted after her.

She waved a hand and slowed her run to a brisk walk.

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